Parral (Chile)
Parral on the map of Chile
Parral is a city in the middle of Chile in the Maule Region.
Geography and demography
Parral is located about 42 km southwest of Linares, about 90 km south of Talca and 340 kilometers south of Santiago de Chile. It belongs to the province of Linares and is located on the Panamerican Highway.
The climate is Mediterranean, with warm summers. The main river of the municipality is the Río Perquilauquén.
The municipality of Parral has an area of 1638.44 km ² and a population of 37 822 inhabitants ( 2002 census ), which corresponds to a share of 3.78 % in the region. 18,859 residents are women ( 49.86 %) and 18,963 are men ( 50.14 %), while 11,425 residents number ( 30.21 % ) for rural and 26 397 inhabitants ( 69.79 % ) for the urban population. The city has experienced significant immigration from Italy and Germany.
History
Parral has been officially established on February 27, 1795 after the supreme decree of Ambrosio O'Higgins. O'Higgins gave the city the name "Villa Reina Luisa del Parral ", as a tribute for Queen Luise, the wife of King Carlos IV Actually, the name " San José de Floridablanca" was being considered, but O'Higgins wanted this name do not use.
Parral is the birthplace of Pablo Neruda, the Chilean winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature of 1971.
Was also born in the city of General Basilio Urrutia Vásquez (1816-1881), who was in the Chilean saltpeter War and Navy Minister. He was also instrumental in the Arauco War active.
Near the town is the notorious Colonia Dignidad, in which it came to torture after the 1973 coup.
The earthquake in February 2010 Parral was hit particularly hard.
Attractions
Being the birthplace of Pablo Neruda, the city attracts many tourists. The surrounding area of the city offers a range of wine-growing regions. Near the city of the thermal springs Termas de Catillo lie.
Two large reservoirs, the Embalse Digua and the Embalse Bullileo invite to excursions.
The volcano Longaví from near Parral.
The train station.
Plaza de Armas
The municipal theater.
Economy
Parral lives mainly from tourism and agriculture, especially rice farming. About 60 % of the national rice production come from the surrounding areas of Parral.
Sons and daughters of the town
- Pablo Neruda (1904-1973), major poet and writer, Nobel Prize for Literature
Twinning
Parral maintains partnerships with the following cities: